A track displacement measurement device is a track displacement measurement device that measures displacement of the track on which a railroad car runs, and determines first displacement of the track by performing processing including an integration operation based on motion detection signal responsive to motion of the railroad car due to displacement of the track, determines second displacement of the track based on the rotational movement detection signal responsive to rotational movement of the railroad car, and determines combined displacement of the track based on the first displacement and the second displacement.

A track displacement measurement device is a track displacement measurement device that measures displacement of the track on which a railroad car runs, and determines first displacement of the track by performing processing including an integration operation based on motion detection signal responsive to motion of the railroad car due to displacement of the track, determines second displacement of the track based on the rotational movement detection signal responsive to rotational movement of the railroad car, and determines combined displacement of the track based on the first displacement and the second displacement.

A rail-guided permanent way machine is operated by means of a control device in such a way that at least one state variable (Z) of the permanent way machine is determined in dependence on an operating state, and the at least one state variable is compared to at least one pre-defined limit value (G.sub.W, G.sub.S) for monitoring a derailment safety of the permanent way machine. Thus, the derailment safety of the permanent way machine is determined in accordance with the current operating state and monitored. As a result, the permanent way machine has an expanded operating range and increased performance and thus increased efficiency.

A rail-guided permanent way machine is operated by means of a control device in such a way that at least one state variable (Z) of the permanent way machine is determined in dependence on an operating state, and the at least one state variable is compared to at least one pre-defined limit value (G.sub.W, G.sub.S) for monitoring a derailment safety of the permanent way machine. Thus, the derailment safety of the permanent way machine is determined in accordance with the current operating state and monitored. As a result, the permanent way machine has an expanded operating range and increased performance and thus increased efficiency.

A sensor module for a rail vehicle contains a box-like module housing with a housing wall having a front opening. It further has one or more environment sensors arranged in the module housing for acquiring environment data that can be perceived through the front opening. Moreover, it contains one or more front windows, which have in each case one window pane, which closes the front opening. As a result, the integration of environment sensors into rail vehicles, in particular for high-speed operation, can be optimized. A rail vehicle ideally contains such a sensor module.

A sensor module for a rail vehicle contains a box-like module housing with a housing wall having a front opening. It further has one or more environment sensors arranged in the module housing for acquiring environment data that can be perceived through the front opening. Moreover, it contains one or more front windows, which have in each case one window pane, which closes the front opening. As a result, the integration of environment sensors into rail vehicles, in particular for high-speed operation, can be optimized. A rail vehicle ideally contains such a sensor module.

A protective shroud is provided for enveloping light radiating from a light emitter used with a sensor system for mapping of a railway track. The protective shroud includes: a rigid body having a frame and at least one opaque panel connected to the frame, the rigid body defining at least a first portion of a light radiation zone; a skirt formed of high density fibers extending from adjacent a bottom edge of the at least one opaque panel to adjacent a ground surface; at least one light emitter connected to the rigid body adjacent a top edge of the rigid body to emit light radiation into the light radiation zone; and at least one sensor connected to the rigid body adjacent the top edge of the rigid body to sense the light emitted from the at least one light emitter.

A protective shroud is provided for enveloping light radiating from a light emitter used with a sensor system for mapping of a railway track. The protective shroud includes: a rigid body having a frame and at least one opaque panel connected to the frame, the rigid body defining at least a first portion of a light radiation zone; a skirt formed of high density fibers extending from adjacent a bottom edge of the at least one opaque panel to adjacent a ground surface; at least one light emitter connected to the rigid body adjacent a top edge of the rigid body to emit light radiation into the light radiation zone; and at least one sensor connected to the rigid body adjacent the top edge of the rigid body to sense the light emitted from the at least one light emitter.

A network of monitoring devices for monitoring the condition of the surface of railway track rails is described. A monitoring device includes a spectrometer configured to monitor at least one frequency that indicates the presence of a contaminant on a railway track rail and to provide an output indicative of the presence or absence of the contaminant on a railway track rail. The monitoring device also includes a transmitter arranged to transmit its output to a central database. The central database is configured to store data from the monitoring devices in the network over time, establishing historical data of track conditions as monitored by the monitoring devices. A comparator is configured to compare current track conditions over the network with historical track conditions over the network, providing an indication of likely developments of track conditions.

A network of monitoring devices for monitoring the condition of the surface of railway track rails is described. A monitoring device includes a spectrometer configured to monitor at least one frequency that indicates the presence of a contaminant on a railway track rail and to provide an output indicative of the presence or absence of the contaminant on a railway track rail. The monitoring device also includes a transmitter arranged to transmit its output to a central database. The central database is configured to store data from the monitoring devices in the network over time, establishing historical data of track conditions as monitored by the monitoring devices. A comparator is configured to compare current track conditions over the network with historical track conditions over the network, providing an indication of likely developments of track conditions.